The São Paulo Grand Prix proved to be a dramatic weekend for Lewis Hamilton and Oscar Piastri, as both drivers incurred penalty points on their FIA super licences due to on-track incidents. The consequences of their collisions have intensified the discussion around driver safety and championship standings in Formula 1.
Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, endured a highly challenging race at the Interlagos circuit in Brazil. Early in the Grand Prix, he collided with Franco Colapinto’s Alpine at significant speed, resulting in severe front wing damage. This came on top of the damage the Briton had already sustained following contact with Carlos Sainz on the opening lap. Ultimately, the British driver was forced to retire from the race due to the compounded damage, ending a frustrating weekend for Ferrari.
As part of the stewards’ decision, Lewis Hamilton received a five-second time penalty during the race for his collision with Franco Colapinto. In addition, the FIA assigned him one penalty point on his super licence, marking the third time Hamilton has accrued penalty points in the past 12 months. The added super licence point highlights the ongoing scrutiny surrounding on-track incidents involving top drivers in Formula 1.
Oscar Piastri also found himself on the receiving end of super licence points after a separate collision. During an early safety car restart, the Australian was deemed responsible for making contact with Kimi Antonelli, which forced the Mercedes driver into Charles Leclerc. The incident resulted in Charles Leclerc’s retirement and disrupted the championship battle. Piastri served a 10-second time penalty in the pits for the collision, and the FIA added two points to his super licence, taking his total to six in the past 12 months. This brings him dangerously close to an automatic race ban, which is triggered if a driver reaches 12 points within a year.
Yuki Tsunoda was another driver penalized during the São Paulo GP, receiving two super licence points after colliding with Lance Stroll. The points increase Yuki Tsunoda’s tally to seven, underlining the increasing tension in the midfield battles this season and the FIA’s strict enforcement of safety regulations.
These latest penalties emphasize the FIA’s focus on driver responsibility and safe racing, especially as the 2025 Formula 1 season enters its final rounds. With just a few races remaining, every incident and penalty carries significant implications for championship standings, team strategies, and driver conduct. As the threat of a race ban looms for drivers like Oscar Piastri, managing on-track aggression has become critical to avoid losing crucial points and jeopardizing title ambitions.
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